Submitted by: Dan Rich
Marcel Van Paemel
South Bend Tribune 1/10/2003
Marcel Van Paemel, 92 of Granger, Ind., died at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the Valley View Healthcare Facility, Elkhart, Ind. He was born Dec. 11, 1910, in Mishawaka, Ind., to the late Camiel and Emma (Cortier) Van Paemel. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Laura Mayhank, Erbany Lielart, Marie DeCloedt; and by a brother, Oscar Van Paemel.
On Oct. 26, 1935, in Mishawaka, he married the former Adele Sergeant, who died in 1975.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his daughter, Dr. Carol Ecker, D.V.M., and husband, Ken of Granger, Ind.; grandchildren, Larry Ecker and wife, Lynn of South Bend, Ind., Christy Morse; and husband, Chris; and great-grandchildren, Dakota "Cody" Morse of Buchanan, Ga.; and a longtime companion, Alberta Matthews of South Bend.
Mr. Van Paemel worked at the former Ball Band in Mishawaka as a cook and in 1939 started a grocery store on Portage Road. In 1948 he moved to the corner of 933 and Darden and opened Marks Supermarket which he operated until 1968. Marks was the largest independent market in Indiana. Mr. Van Paemel was a longtime member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He was a founder of the South Bend Lions Club and was a district officer and lifetime member of the Lions Club. Marcel Van Paemel started the St. Joseph County Sheriffs Posse, was a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, belonged to two euchre clubs in the area, and was a die-hard Notre Dame fan. Mr. Van Paemel was affectionately known as the "Mayor of Roseland." After retiring from the market he loved to be on his farm with nature and family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today, Jan. 10, in Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind. Friends may call today from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 17033 Cleveland Road. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph County Humane Society or The Indiana Animal Health Foundation, 309 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.